"Our partnership with ORNL is one that is made to be able to bring technology to market fast," Rogers said.

The Knoxville Chamber hopes the partnership could benefit the entire area by showing other tech businesses East Tennessee is friendly to the industry.

"We call ourselves the Knoxville-Oak Ridge innovation Valley," said Doug Lawyer, the vice-president of economic development for the Knoxville Chamber. "That's kind of the brand we have for regional economic development and a company like Local Motors coming here just really helps to validate that brand."

And, ORNL says it has no problem helping other businesses find success here in the region.

"We're paid by the American taxpayers," said Craig Blue, director of the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. "So, if we can help United States companies get a competitive edge, ultimately, there's huge returns not only for us, but the country."

Web extra: A tour of ORNL's Manufacturing Demonstration Facility

Lonnie Love, of ORNL, takes WBIR 10News on a tour of the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility in Hardin Valley. See where some of the world's top scientists are putting new technologies, like 3D printing, to use.